Modular structures and panels for constructing them

ABSTRACT

A connector assembly for use in a modular structure is intended for temporary usage, and may be assembled and disassembled conveniently. The connector assembly includes a slidable bolt partly mounted within a first panel and slidable from a first position completely within that first panel to a second position partially within an adjacent second panel. Furthermore, the first panel has one male channel and one female channel, adapted to mate with the male channel on an adjacent panel. The male channel may slide into the female channel laterally i.e., without the need for lifting, or rotating either panel into place. At each corner, the structure includes a corner post which emulates the channel into which the sliding bolt moves and permits the securing of panels thereto. In addition, the structure may be mountable to an existing permanent structure by providing special brackets, which emulate the mating structure of adjacent panels.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of my prior filed U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/284,342, filed on Apr. 17, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application is directed to temporary structures, and, in particularto a modular structure which may be assembled and disassembled easilyand conveniently for temporary usage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

There is a common need for temporary structures of various kinds. Forexample, scientists may need to prepare temporary camp sites forextended study of fauna in the wild, the military may need to establishforward bases in hostile territory, and individuals may need to utilizetemporary structures for various personal reasons. Once such personalreason is the observance of the Jewish holiday of Succoth, whichrequires observant Jews to construct a special structure, known as aSuccah, during the annual holiday celebration.

Many different types of temporary Succah assemblies are well-known. Theyall, however, suffer from various drawbacks. For example, U.S. Pat. No.4,676,039 to Leiter et al. discloses a temporary structure assembly witha particular panel structure useful in creating a Succah. The assemblyused to connect adjacent panels, however, is complicated, and requiresthat the adjacent panels be connected by rotating one of the panels intoplace and then sliding a connecting piece downward from the top of thestructure to lock the panels in place. This may be difficult to performwhere the panels are relatively high and the user is relatively short.In addition, the assembly of the structure requires the use of a cornerpiece which must be slid into place completely from the top of thestructure, complicating the act of assembly.

A further type of temporary structure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,857,304 to Karten et al. which discloses a slidable locking system fordisengageable panels and means for connecting adjacent panels and liningup the tops thereof for use in a modular display system. The structure,however, does not constitute a complete enclosed structure and alsorequires the sliding of panels with respect to one another. In otherwords, it is necessary for one panel to be placed above the other panelso that they may be slid into place. This can be difficult toaccomplish, for many users and requires a dexterity which not all usersmay have. Other temporary structures are shown in, for example, U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,884,647 and 4,677,797. The structures disclosed therein arealso complicated and difficult to assemble.

There is therefore a need in the art for a simple system forconstructing a temporary structure, capable of easy assembly by personsnot possessing a high degree of manual dexterity or strength.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a modularstructure and connecting assembly therefor which is easier to assemblethan are known devices.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a modular structurewhich may be easily assembled without the use of many small additionalpieces.

The invention is directed to a connector assembly for use in a modularstructure intended for temporary usage, and may be assembled anddisassembled conveniently. The connector assembly includes a slidablebolt partly mounted within a first panel and slidable from a firstposition completely within that first panel to a second positionpartially within an adjacent second panel. The first panel has one malechannel and one female channel, adapted to mate with the male channel onan adjacent panel. The male channel may slide into the female channellaterally, i.e., without the need for lifting, or rotating either panelinto place. At each corner, the structure includes a corner post whichemulates the channel into which the sliding bolt moves and permits thesecuring of panels thereto. In addition, the structure may be mountableto an existing permanent structure by providing special brackets, whichemulate the mating structure of adjacent panels.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description considered in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that thedrawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration but not as adefinition of the limits of the invention for which reference should bemade to the appended claims. It should be further understood that thedrawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwiseindicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate thestructures and procedures described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like elementsthroughout the general views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a modular structure in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an upper sub-panel of the modular structure ofFIG. 1, shown from the inside of the structure;

FIG. 3 shows cross-sectional detail of the left side of the uppersub-panel of FIG. 2, taken along the direction of arrows 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional detail of the right side of the uppersub-panel of FIG. 2, taken along the direction of arrows 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional detail of the bottom side of the uppersub-panel of FIG. 2, taken along the direction of arrows 5-5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional detail of the top side of the uppersub-panel of FIG. 2, taken along the direction of arrows 6-6 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a perspective of the sliding bar of FIG. 2, shown in partialbreakaway and partial phantom, in its unlocked position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective of the sliding bar of FIG. 2, shown in partialbreakaway and partial phantom, in its locked position;

FIG. 9 is a perspective of the top side of the upper sub-panel of FIG.2, shown in partial breakaway and partial phantom, with the sliding barthereof securing two adjacent upper sub-panels against relativemovement;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a lower sub-panel of the modular structure ofFIG. 1, shown from the inside of the structure;

FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional detail of the bottom side of the lowersub-panel of FIG. 10, taken along the direction of arrows 11-11 in FIG.10;

FIG. 12 shows a plan view of a door panel useful with the modularstructure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional detail of the male side of a door frameused as part of the door panel of FIG. 12, taken along the direction ofarrows 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional detail of the female side of a doorframe used as part of the door panel of FIG. 12, taken along thedirection of arrows 14-14 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional detail of an end cap of a door panel of theembodiment of FIG. 12, taken along the direction of arrows 15-15thereof;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional detail of a door side channel of theembodiment of FIG. 12, taken along the direction of arrows 16-16thereof;

FIG. 17 is a side view of a corner post used in the modular structure ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a front view of the corner post of FIG. 17, taken along thedirection of arrows 18-18 thereof;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional detail of the corner post of FIG. 17, takenalong the direction of arrows 19-19 thereof;

FIG. 20 is a top view of a modified modular structure in accordance withthe invention, in which the modified modular structure is attached toanother structure;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional detail of a female wall adapter used in theembodiment of FIG. 20; and

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional detail of a male wall adapter used in theembodiment of FIG. 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A modular structure 10 in accordance with the invention is shown inFIG. 1. Structure 10 includes a plurality of substantially identicalpanels 12, preferably approximately two feet wide by seven feet tall.Each panel 12 includes an upper sub-panel 14, and a lower sub-panel 16,each approximately two feet wide by three and one-half feet tall.Structure 10 may also include a door panel 18 and one or more windowpanels 20 having a window 21. As may be seen in FIG. 1, door panel 18 islarger than standard panels 12, preferably about three feet wide, toallow for ease of passage therethrough, in which case a reduced widthpanel 22 may be provided, to balance out the side of structure 10 havinga door panel 18 therein.

Upper sub-panel 14 is shown separately in FIG. 2, as viewed from theinside of structure 10. Upper sub-panel 14 preferably has a generallyrectangular shape, with a top side 24, a right side 26, a bottom side28, and a left side 30. A generally flat sheet 32 of relatively rigidmaterial, such as a rigid plastic, is retained within the four sides 24,26, 28 and 30. If desired, flat sheet 32 could include a window, such aswindow 20, as shown in FIG. 1. Top side 24 includes an upper channel 34and a lower channel 36, each formed to receive a sliding bar 38. Slidingbar 38 generally resides in only one of the two channels 34 and 36.Preferably, it usually resides in upper channel 34, although that is amere matter of design choice. Sliding bar 38 is preferably approximatelytwo feet long, i.e. it is as long as upper sub-panel 14 is wide, forreasons that will be described presently.

Channels 34 and 36 are each preferably defined by three supportelements: left support element 40, center support element 42 and rightsupport element 44. Each channel 34 and 36 is adapted to align with arespective channel (not shown in FIG. 2) of an adjacent panel, so thatwhen each panel 12 is in place within structure 10, sliding bar 38 maymove from a first position substantially completely within a first panel12 into an adjacent panel.

A cross-section of left side 30 of upper sub-panel 14 is shown in FIG.3. Left side 30 comprises a first adapter 46 which has a securingchannel 48 to grip the left exterior edge of flat sheet 32. Firstadapter 46 is shaped to be secured into a male channel 50, for exampleby snapping into notches 52 therein. Male channel 50 has a generallyrectangular cross-section shape when viewed from the end, as shown inFIG. 3. The profile of securing channel 48 of first adapter 46 may bevaried depending upon the nature of flat sheet 32, so that it has aprofile that will accommodate the thickness of flat panel 32 in thedesired environment. Left side 30 is generally referred to herein as the“male” side of upper sub-panel 14.

A cross-section of right side 26 of upper sub-panel 14 is shown in FIG.4. Right side 26 comprises a second adapter 54, substantially identicalto first adapter 46 of left side 30, for gripping the right exterioredge of flat sheet 32. Second adapter 54 is adapted to be secured intoan interior channel 56, for example by snapping into notches 58 therein.Right side 26 further comprises an exterior channel 60, which isconfigured to receive a male channel (shown in phantom in FIG. 4 as 30′)of an adjacent upper sub-panel. Right side 26 further comprises anintermediate channel 62 disposed between interior channel 56 andexterior channel 60. Right side 26 is generally referred to herein asthe “female” side of upper sub-panel 14.

A cross-section of bottom side 28 of upper sub-panel 14 is shown in FIG.5. A bottom exterior edge of flat sheet 32 is gripped between first andsecond alignment portions 64 and 66, respectively. In a preferredembodiment, first alignment portion 64 has a tongue 68, and secondalignment portion 66 has a groove 70 shaped to mate with a correspondingtongue 68 of a lower sub-panel 16. First alignment portion 64, flatsheet 32 and second alignment portion 66 may be attached in any desiredfashion, for example by a rivet 72.

A cross-section of upper side 24 of upper sub-panel 14 is shown in FIG.6. Upper side 24 comprises a first adapter 74 substantially identical tofirst adapter 46 of left side 30, for gripping the top exterior edge offlat sheet 32. First adapter 74 is adapted to be secured into aninterior channel 76 of top side 24, for example by snapping into notches78 therein. An exterior channel 80 is opposite interior channel 76. In apreferred embodiment, a wooden piece 82 may be disposed in exteriorchannel 80 to comply with Jewish laws regarding the proper structure ofa Succah such as may be used for Succoth.

Upper channel 34 and lower channel 36 are disposed between interiorchannel 76 and exterior channel 80. Upper channel 34 and lower channel36 are substantially identical, except that sliding bar 38 is usuallydisposed in upper channel 34, as stated above. Sliding bar 38 is shownin detail in FIGS. 7 and 8. Sliding bar 38 includes two interlockingmembers, a U-channel slide member 84, and a sliding lock channel member86 slidably disposed therein. U-channel slide member 84 has an uppershoulder portion 88, and a pair of L-shaped fingers 90 disposedunderneath upper shoulder portion 88. As shown in FIG. 6, upper shoulderportion 88 is supported by a pair of opposed fingers 92 on the interiorof upper channel 34, to permit sliding movement of sliding bar 38 inupper channel 34. Sliding lock channel member 86 includes a pair ofL-shaped fingers 94 configured to engage and rest upon L-shaped fingers90 of U-shaped slide member 84. The engagement of L-shaped fingers 94 ofsliding lock channel member 86 with L-shaped fingers 90 of U-shapedslide member 84 renders these two members relatively slidable.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a keyhole 96 in sliding lock channel member86 is disposed adjacent a slot 98 in U-channel slide member 84 so that auser may actuate the relative sliding movement between U-channel slidemember 84 and sliding lock channel member 86 by inserting a key (notshown) in keyhole 96, and then using the key to slide sliding lockchannel member 86 along slot 98. The key may be any functional item,such as a screwdriver, a dedicated key which is specifically shaped tomate with keyhole 96 or even a pencil if nothing else is at hand, solong as the key fits in keyhole 96 and is strong enough to causeU-channel slide member 84 to slide. In a preferred embodiment, a pair ofbars 100 (only one shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and both omitted from FIG. 6for clarity) extend across sliding lock channel member 86. In otherembodiments, different numbers of bars 100, such as one or three, may beused as a matter of design choice.

U-channel slide member 84 further includes a pair of ribbon springs 102(only one shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and both omitted from FIG. 6 forclarity) each affixed at a rear end 104 thereof to the bottom interiorof U-channel slide member 86. A post 106 is affixed to a forward end 108of each ribbon spring 102, and disposed within a hole 110 in the bottomof U-channel slide member 86. Each ribbon spring 102 includes a forwardbump 112 and a rearward bump 114.

Each bar 100 is disposed to contact a respective ribbon spring 102, andeach ribbon spring 102 is configured so that when bar 100 rests inforward bump 112, as shown in FIG. 8, post 106 extends outward throughhole 110 in the bottom of U-shaped channel member 84, and when bar 100rests in rearward bump 114, post 106 is retracted into an unlockedposition within U-shaped channel member 84 as shown in FIG. 7. Referringagain to FIG. 6, upper channel 34 includes holes 116 (only one is shown)configured to receive post 106 in various positions, as will beexplained presently.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 to 9, the operation of the securing assembly ofthe invention may be understood. Before assembly of modular structure10, sliding bar 38 is contained completely within a single sub-panel,with only a small length (preferably appx. one-eigth inch) extendingfrom channel 34 to assist in aligning panels during assembly. Post 106latches into a hole to secure sliding bar 38 against unwanted movement.The length of sliding bar 38 is generally co-extensive with the lengthof upper sub-panel 14, i.e., about two feet.

First, the user aligns the male side of one sub-panel, with the femaleside of an adjacent sub-panel. As will be appreciated, since the maleend is essentially a rectangle, and the female end is an open slotshaped to receive that rectangle, the two pieces may simply be slippedtogether, without the need to rotate the two sub-panels into position,or to slide one down the side of the other, rendering this aspect ofassembly quite simple.

Next, the user must move a sliding bar (not shown) in the adjacent uppersub-panel 14′, to make room for sliding bar 38 from the other uppersub-panel 14.

The user may then align the upper channels 34 and 34′ of two adjacentupper sub-panels 14, so that the remaining sliding bar 38 may be slidinto place. The user will move sliding bar 38 by placing a key (notshown) in keyhole 96, and using the leverage provided thereby to movesliding lock channel 86 in the direction indicated by arrow 116 whichcauses sliding lock channel member 86 to slide within U-shaped channelmember 84, thereby resulting in bar 100 moving from forward bump 112 andtowards rearward bump 114. This movement causes forward end 108 ofribbon spring 102 to move in the direction indicated by arrow 118,thereby moving post 106 out of hole 116 (FIG. 6) into the unlockedposition shown in FIG. 7.

When sliding bar 38 is unlocked, it may be moved from its initialposition into a second position partly within both adjacent uppersub-panels 14 and 14′, as shown in FIG. 9. Once in this position,sliding lock channel member 86 may be moved in the direction indicatedby arrow 120 (as shown in FIG. 7) into a locked position in which ribbonspring 102 returns post 106 into the direction shown by arrow 122 andinto engagement with a hole 116′ of the adjacent sub-panel 14′. At thesame time, rearward post 106 may move into the original hole 116 vacatedby forward post 106, thereby latching the two adjacent sub-panelstogether with a minimum of effort.

Each upper sub-panel 14 is connected to a corresponding lower sub-panel16. As shown in FIG. 10, each lower sub-panel 16 has a male side 124which is essentially identical to male side 30 of upper sub-panel, and afemale side 126 which is essentially identical to female side 26 ofupper sub-panel 14, except only one female side contains a sliding bar,which may be used to join the two female sides in the manner describedabove. Each lower sub-panel 16 also has an upper side 128, which is amirror image of lower side 28 of upper sub-panel 14, namely a firstalignment portion (on the side of lower sub-panel 16 not visible in FIG.10) has a tongue 130 which mates with groove 70 in second alignmentportion 66 of upper sub-panel 14 (shown in FIG. 5), while a secondalignment portion 132 of lower sub-panel 16 has a groove (not shown)which mates with tongue 68 of first alignment portion of upper sub-panel14. A stop rivet 133 may be provided to limit downward movement ofsliding bar 38.

It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that othermeans of coupling the two sub-panels could be employed, but thepreferred embodiment has the benefit of permitting the manufacture ofonly one type of paired attachment portions, thereby streamlining themanufacturing process.

The remaining side of lower sub-panel 16, bottom side 134, is shown inFIG. 11. As will be seen, bottom side 134 is substantially similar totop side 24 of upper sub-panel 14 (FIG. 6), and similar elements aredesignated with a “prime” and will not be separately described (theelements of sliding bar 38′ are omitted for clarity). The basicdifference between the two components is that the relative position ofinterior channel 76′ and exterior channel 80′ are reversed from theircounterparts, so that the lower part of lower sub-panel 16 correspondsto the upper part of upper sub-panel 14, and vice-versa, which is to beexpected by their relative positions within panel 12. Otherwise, theonly substantive difference between the two is that there is noprovision for a counterpart for wood 82 at the bottom of lower sub-panel134, since it is unnecessary.

A modular structure having the connecting assembly as described mayoffer, therefore, a simpler and easier method of assembly.

In a preferred embodiment, modular structure 10 would include means forpermitting access thereto, such as a door 18 (FIG. 1). In the preferredembodiment, however, with panels having a width of only two feet, accesswould be inconvenient for most, and impossible for some. To provideeasier access, an oversized door panel 136, such as shown in FIG. 12 maybe provided. Door panel 136 is preferably three feet wide, providingample room for nearly anyone to access the interior of modularstructure. Doors, however, present a new set of problems, namelyproviding both ease of access by swinging open and closed, and alsostability, since the structural integrity of the structure in which thedoor is mounted must be maintained. In the preferred embodiment, this isaccomplished by providing a door frame 138 for holding a door 140. Doorframe 138 comprises two substantially U-shaped portions, an upperportion 142, and a lower portion 144. Upper portion 142 of door frame136 includes upper and lower channels 34″ and 36″ substantiallyidentical to upper and lower channels 34 and 36, except they are threefeet long, rather than two feet long. The bottom of lower portion 144 islikewise similar to bottom side 134 of lower sub-panel 16.

The sides of door frame 136 are slightly different, however, from themale and female sides of panel 12. It is important that door frame 136be rigid, even without the support of door panels. Accordingly, eachside must have its own channel and sliding bar arrangement.

FIG. 13 shows a male door frame channel 146, having a generallyrectangular exterior 148 which is shaped to mate with any female sidechannel of an adjacent panel according to the invention.

Additionally, male door frame channel 146 includes an interior channel150 into which a sliding bar similar to sliding bar 38 may be inserted.Interior channel 150 need only be a single channel, and includessupports 152 into which upper shoulder portion 88 of a sliding bar maybe inserted during use. Interior channel 150 also includes at least onehole 154 into which a post of the sliding bar (such as post 106 ofsliding bar 38) may be inserted for securing the sliding bar againstunwanted movement.

A female door frame channel 156 is shown in FIG. 14. Female door framechannel 156 includes a female channel 158 which is configured to receivea male channel of any adjacent panel of modular structure 10, aninterior channel 160 with supports 162 and a hole 164, all similar tothe corresponding parts of male channel 146. As seen in FIG. 12, slidingbars 38 may secure upper and lower portions 142 and 144, respectively,against movement.

Door 140 may be hingedly mounted within door frame 138, by a pluralityof standard hinges 166. Hinges 166 may be mounted to permit either left-or right-hand mounting, and inward or outward swinging, as desired. Theplacement of hinges 166, and the orientation of door 140, is well withinthe skill of one of ordinary skill in the art.

Door 140 may be manufactured specially as a single unit, or, preferably,may be manufactured as an upper door panel 168 and a lower door panel170, similar to upper sub-panel 14 and lower sub-panel 16 of panel 12.In this embodiment, upper door panel 168 and lower door panel 170 arejoined in the same fashion as upper sub-panel 14 and lower sub-panel 16,and so this connection will not be separately shown. The top of upperdoor panel 168 and the bottom of lower door panel 170 are simply cappedby an end cap 172, as shown in FIG. 15, for gripping the edges of flatsheets 32′ and providing a covering for the end thereof.

The differences of door 140 lie in left and right sides, 174 and 176,respectively. Each side 174 and 176 includes a door side channel 178shown in FIG. 16. Door side channel includes an interior channel 180with supports 182 and a hole 184, all similar to the corresponding partsof male door frame channel 146 and female door frame channel 156. Inaddition, however, door side channel 178 includes a projection 186,which is used to stop door 140 from swinging through from side to side.

Since door panel 136 is of a different width than the standard panels(three feet versus two feet) if a square or rectangular structure isdesired, to compensate for oversized door panel 136, a door could beinstalled on opposite sides of the structure, two doors could be placedon the same side, or a shorter one-foot panel such as panel 22 in FIG. 1can be used adjacent door panel 136 so that the combined width of doorpanel 136 and shorter panel 22 will be equal to the width of a pair ofstandard panels 12.

A difficulty arises with respect to sliding bars 38 in this scenario ofemploying a shorter panel. Sliding bars 38 are two feet long, andtherefore would extend well beyond the sides of a one-foot panel, so aone-foot sliding bar may be used. Furthermore, because there would notbe sufficient room in the upper channel of a one-foot panel for both onehalf of a two-foot sliding bar and one half of a one-foot bar, the onefoot bar is placed in lower channel 36 where it may perform the samefunction, but in a space where it will not interfere with the operationof the other (two-foot) sliding bar 38.

The walls of modular structure 10 are connected to one another at theircorners by corner posts 188 shown in FIG. 17. The use of sliding bars 38to connect adjacent panels contemplates sliding panels 12 into placelaterally. This is not possible at the corners of the structure. Cornerpost 188 essentially consists of two components: a female channel 190,and an imitation male channel and sliding bar 192. Female channel 190may be constructed in either of two ways, as a matter of design choice.First, it could be a purely passive channel for receiving the male sideof the panel 12 which will mate therewith, and no connection through theuse of sliding bars 38 is attempted. In this case, sliding bar 38 fromthe mating panel 12 is removed from its upper channel 34, and slid intolower channel 36 for storage, so that it does not interfere with thesliding of sliding bar 38 from the adjacent panel 12.

Alternatively, channel post 188 could include a slot 194, aligned withlower channel 36, to receive sliding bar 38 therein. Slot 194 wouldinclude an abbreviated lower channel 36″ for receiving sliding bar 38therein, so that post 106 would be disposed past slot 194 when the endof sliding bar 38 abuts a rear wall 196 thereof. Since the keyhole ofsliding bar 38 (not shown in FIG. 19) would not extend into slot 194, itwould still be reachable by the user. This would allow a secureconnection of the adjacent panel 12 to corner post 188 and convenientaccess for moving sliding bar 38 when desired.

Imitation male channel 192 is preferably pivotably mounted to cornerpost 188, at a pivot point 198, so that it may be stored in a positionin which imitation male channel 192 does not extend outwardly prior toactual use. Imitation male channel 192 is configured as sliding bar 38,and is positioned to extend into either upper channel 34 or lowerchannel 36, as a matter of design choice, since it is shorter than astandard sliding bar 38, and will therefore not likely interfere withthe operation of any sliding bar in either channel. Preferably, lowerchannel 36 is used for consistency.

Corner post 188 may also be made of upper and lower portions, 200 and202, respectively, joined by a sliding bar 38, as shown in FIG. 17. Tothis end, corner post 188 also includes an interior channel 204 withsupports 206 and a hole 208 (shown in phantom), all similar to thecorresponding parts of male door frame channel 146 and female door framechannel 156.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 20. In thisembodiment, a modular structure 10, shown from above, is mounted to atleast one existing wall 210, in which case modular structure 10′ willnot be a freestanding structure. Modular structure 10′ includes aplurality of panels 12, and corner posts 188, establishing three sidesof a modular structure 10′ (doors are omitted for ease ofrepresentation, and, in any event, access may be had through existingwall 210, if desired).

To attach modular structure 10 to existing wall 210, a pair of adaptersis required, a female adapter 212 and a male adapter 214, which aresecured to existing wall 210. Female adapter 212 shown in FIG. 21, maybe constructed in either of two ways, as a matter of design choice, in afashion similar to that of female channel 190 corner post 188. First, itcould be a purely passive channel for receiving the male side of thepanel 12 which will mate therewith, and no connection through the use ofsliding bars 38 is attempted. In this case, sliding bar 38 from themating panel 12 is removed from its upper channel 34, and slid intolower channel 36 for storage, so that it does not interfere with thesliding of sliding bar 38 from the adjacent panel 12. Alternatively,female adapter 212 could include a mating connection 216, aligned withlower channel 36, to receive sliding bar 38 therein. Mating connection216 would include an abbreviated lower channel 36′″, a slot 218 and arear wall 220 therein, and will receive post 106 of sliding bar 38, asdescribed above. Since the keyhole of sliding bar 38 (not shown) wouldnot extend into mating connection 216, it would still be reachable bythe user. This would allow a secure connection of the adjacent panel 12to female adapter 212.

FIG. 22 shows a male adapter 214, in which an imitation male connector222 is pivotably mounted about a pivot point 224 in male adapter 214.Imitation male connector 222 is configured as sliding bar 38, so that itwill mate with the female side of the panel 12 which is to be connectedthereto.

Thus, while there have been shown and described and pointed outfundamental novel features of the present invention as applied to apreferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that variousomissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of thedevices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinationsof those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially thesame function in substantially the same way to achieve the same resultsare within the scope of the invention. Substitutions of elements fromone described embodiment to another are also fully intended andcontemplated. It is also to be understood that the drawings are notnecessarily drawn to scale but that they are merely conceptual innature. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicatedby the scope of the claims appended hereto.

In other examples, the roof structure illustrated in FIG. 1 is not theonly contemplated roofing structure. A Succoth, for example may have noroof whatsoever, and, if it does, may have a simple flat roof. Thenature of the roof plays no part in the instant invention. In anotherexample, every slidable bar has been described as being identical, butit is possible that, in some preferred embodiments, the slidable barsmay be different. For example, in some embodiments, it may be desirableto lessen the weight of the slidable bar, and lower its cost, by makingits upper portion hollow, while maintaining the same overall profile.

It will further be appreciated by those of ordinary skill that the useof sub-panels is purely optional. It would be possible to make astructure using only individual panels having whatever shape and size asmay be desired. The shape of, the panels is also something that may bevaried, depending upon the application. The use of sub-panels, however,simplifies the storage and shipping of a disassembled structure, sincemost of the pieces of modular structure 10 will be of generally uniformsize: roughly two feet by three and one-half feet. The few specialpanels, such as doors, one-foot panels, corner posts, and wall adapters,may be shipped conveniently as well, with only the door sub-panels beingoutsized.

Furthermore, various changes may be made to the sub-panels, as well.Rather than having a single panel separated in half horizontally, itcould be made up of any number of sub-panels, including dividedvertically, thereby increasing the flexibility of the height of theoverall structure constructed thereby. Any additional sub-panels mayhave top and bottom edges which mate with the appropriate edge of anadjacent sub-panel, rather than mating with adjacent panels.

It will also be appreciated that sheet 32 need not be flat, dependingupon the application for which the structure is intended. Sheet 32 maybe made in any convenient shape, such as, for example, hemispherical,wavy, curved or irregular, so long as it has the requisite edges.Similarly, as shown in FIG. 1, panels 12 may be of shapes other thanrectangular, such as triangular roof support panels 226 or pentagonallyshaped panel 228.

Modular structure 10 preferably has a roof, generally 230 in FIG. 1,which may be of any desired construction, such as flat, arched, gabled,etc. In many instances, roof 230 may be supported on the top ofstructure 10, and affixed thereto by means of sliding bars and channelsas with panels 12 themselves. Alternatively, roof 230 may be supportedby other means, as is commonly known in the art. For example, separatesupports may be provided for supporting a roof, such as woodencross-beams, cables, or other well-known structures. The choice of asuitable roofing support structure is well within the knowledge of oneof ordinary skill in the art, depending upon the particular environmentin which structure 10 may be utilized.

Finally, it will be appreciated that, although structure 10 is describedwith moving parts accessible from interior thereof, in someapplications, such as booths for trade shows, it may be preferred forthe interior of the structure to be flat, and that access to the movingparts is on the exterior of the structure. This is purely a matter ofdesign choice.

Structure 10 is a highly versatile arrangement with many applications,and the invention herein described is therefore only to be consideredlimited by the appended claims.

1. A panel for use in constructing a modular structure, comprising asurface having at least three edges, at least one of said edges beingone of a male edge and a female edge, said female edge having a channelformed therein, and said male edge having a protrusion formed therein,said protrusion being shaped to mate with a channel formed in a femaleedge of another panel; a latching edge transverse to said at least oneof said male edge and said female edge, said latching edge including atleast one channel therein, said at least one channel extending alongsaid latching edge; a first slidable latch disposed at least partlywithin said channel in said latching edge, and positioned to slide alongsaid channel in said latching edge between a first positionsubstantially completely within said channel disposed in said latchingedge and a second position partly within said channel in said latchingedge and partly outside of said channel in said latching edge; saidchannel being positioned to receive a second latch of another panel; andmeans for releasably securing at least one of said first slidable latchand said second latch within said at least one channel in said latchingedge, said means for releasably securing including at least oneengagement means in said channel for engaging said at least one of saidfirst slidable latch and said second latch; wherein said first slidablelatch includes a first movable post, and wherein said engagement meansincludes at least one aperture for receiving said first movable post,whereby said first slidable latch is secured against movement relativeto said panel by moving said first movable post into said at least oneaperture; wherein said engagement means includes at least a first and asecond aperture, each configured to receive said first movable post,whereby said slidable latch is secured in said first position by movingsaid first movable post into said first aperture, and secured in saidsecond position by moving said first movable post into said secondaperture; and wherein said means for releasably securing includes asliding member disposed within said slidable latch, and capable ofactuating the movement of said movable post by sliding from a firstposition in which said movable post is in said first position thereof toa second position in which said movable post is in said second positionthereof.
 2. The panel of claim 1, wherein said panel has four edges. 3.The panel of claim 2, wherein said panel has both said female edge andsaid male edge.
 4. The panel of claim 3, wherein said female edge andsaid male edge are substantially parallel.
 5. The panel of claim 4,wherein said latching edge is transverse to both said male edge and saidfemale edge.
 6. The panel of claim 5, wherein said latching edge extendssubstantially completely between said male edge and said female edge. 7.The panel of claim 1 wherein said at least one channel in said latchingedge comprises an upper channel and a lower channel.
 8. The panel ofclaim 7, wherein said first position of said slidable latch is withinsaid upper channel.
 9. The panel of claim 8, wherein said secondposition of said slidable latch is partly within said upper channel, andpartly outside of said upper channel.
 10. The panel of claim 9, whereinsaid second position of said slidable latch is approximately one-halfwithin said upper channel, and one-half outside of said upper channel.11. The panel of claim 7, wherein said first position of said slidablelatch is within said lower channel.
 12. The panel of claim 11, whereinsaid second position of said slidable latch is partly within said lowerchannel, and partly outside of said lower channel.
 13. The panel ofclaim 12, wherein said second position of said slidable latch isapproximately one-half within said lower channel, and one-half outsideof said lower channel.
 14. The panel of claim 1, wherein at least one ofsaid edges is non-linear.
 15. The panel of claim 14, wherein said atleast one of said edges is angled.
 16. The panel of claim 14, whereinsaid at least one of said edges is curved.
 17. The panel of claim 1further comprising: means for actuating said first movable post toselectively engage and disengage said aperture, whereby said slidablelatch is capable of movement within said at least one channel when saidfirst movable post is disengaged from said aperture, and said slidablelatch is secured against movement within said at least one channel whensaid first movable post is engaged with said aperture.
 18. The panel ofclaim 1, wherein said slidable latch further includes a second movablepost, and said second movable post is positioned to engage one of saidat least said first and second apertures of an adjacent panel when saidslidable latch is in said second position.
 19. The panel of claim 1,wherein said means for releasably securing includes a spring forselectively urging said movable post into one of said first position andsaid second position thereof; wherein said sliding member contacts saidspring, and moves said spring from a first position in which said springurges said movable post into said first position thereof, to a secondposition in which said spring urges said movable post into said secondposition thereof.
 20. The panel of claim 1, wherein said means forreleasably securing includes a spring button.
 21. The panel of claim 1,wherein said means for releasably securing includes a lock.
 22. Thepanel of claim 1, wherein said surface includes a door.
 23. The panel ofclaim 1, wherein said surface includes a window.
 24. The panel of claim1, wherein said surface includes first and second sub-panels, said firstand second subpanels being releasably secured to each other.
 25. Thepanel of claim 24, wherein said first and second sub-panels arereleasably secured to each other by a third slidable latch capable ofmoving from a first position substantially completely within said firstsubpanel to a second position partly within said first subpanel andpartly within said second sub-panel.
 26. A modular structure comprising:a plurality of panels, each of said plurality of panels comprising: asurface having at least three edges, at least one of said edges beingone of a male edge and a female edge, said female edge having a channelformed therein, and said male edge having a protrusion formed therein,said protrusion being shaped to mate with a channel formed in a femaleedge of another of said plurality of panels, a latching edge transverseto said at least one of said male edge and said female edge, saidlatching edge including at least one channel therein, said at least onechannel extending along said latching edge, a first slidable latchdisposed at least partly within said channel in said latching edge, andpositioned to slide along said channel in said latching edge between afirst position substantially completely within said channel in saidlatching edge and a second position partly within said channel in saidlatching edge and partly within said at least one channel in saidlatching edge in an adjacent one of said plurality of panels, a secondlatch of another of said plurality of panels being receivable withinsaid at least one channel in said latching edge, and means forreleasably securing at least one of said first slidable latch and saidsecond latch within said at least one channel in said latching edge,wherein said structure is constructed by latching together adjacent onesof said plurality of panels by one of moving said slidable latch of onepanel into said second position at least partly within an adjacent oneof said plurality of panels, and receiving within one of said panelssaid second latch from an adjacent one of said plurality of panelswherein said means for releasably securing of each of said plurality ofpanels includes at least one engagement means in said channel forengaging said at least one of said first slidable latch and said secondlatch thereof; wherein said slidable latch of each of said plurality ofpanels includes a first movable post, and wherein said engagement meansof each of said plurality of panels includes at least one aperture forreceiving said first movable post thereof, whereby said slidable latchof each of said plurality of panels is secured against movement relativeto said panel by moving said first movable post into said at least oneaperture thereof; wherein said engagement means of each of saidplurality of panels includes at least a first and a second aperture,each configured to receive said first movable post thereof, whereby saidslidable latch of each of said plurality of panels is secured in saidfirst position thereof by moving said first movable post into said firstaperture thereof, and secured in said second position by moving saidfirst movable post into said second aperture thereof; and wherein saidmeans for releasably securing of each of said plurality of panelsincludes a sliding member disposed within said slidable latch thereof,and capable of actuating the movement of said movable post by slidingfrom a first position in which said movable post is in said firstposition thereof to a second position in which said movable post is insaid second position thereof.
 27. The structure of claim 26, whereineach of said plurality of panels has four edges.
 28. The structure ofclaim 27, wherein each of said plurality of panels has both said femaleedge and said male edge.
 29. The structure of claim 28, wherein saidfemale edge and said male edge of a single panel of said plurality ofpanels are substantially parallel.
 30. The structure of claim 29,wherein said latching edge of each of said plurality of panels istransverse to both said male edge and said female edge thereof.
 31. Thestructure of claim 30, wherein said latching edge of each of saidplurality of panels extends substantially completely between said maleedge and said female edge thereof.
 32. The structure of claim 26,wherein said at least one channel in said latching edge of each of saidplurality of panels comprises an upper channel and a lower channel. 33.The structure of claim 32, wherein said first position of said slidablelatch of each of said plurality of panels is within said upper channelthereof.
 34. The structure of claim 33, wherein said second position ofsaid slidable latch of each of said plurality of panels is partly withinsaid upper channel thereof, and partly outside of said upper channelthereof.
 35. The structure of claim 34, wherein said second position ofsaid slidable latch of each of said plurality of panels is approximatelyone-half within said upper channel thereof, and one-half outside of saidupper channel thereof.
 36. The structure of claim 32, wherein said firstposition of said slidable latch of each of said plurality of panels iswithin said lower channel thereof.
 37. The structure of claim 36,wherein said second position of said slidable latch of each of saidplurality of panels is partly within said lower channel thereof, andpartly outside of said lower channel thereof.
 38. The structure of claim37, wherein said second position of said slidable latch of each of saidplurality of panels is approximately one-half within said lower channelthereof, and one-half outside of said lower channel thereof.
 39. Thestructure of claim 26, wherein at least one of said edges of each ofsaid plurality of panels is nonlinear.
 40. The structure of claim 39,wherein said at least one of said edges of each of said plurality ofpanels is angled.
 41. The structure of claim 39, wherein said at leastone of said edges of each of said plurality of panels is curved.
 42. Thestructure of claim 26 further comprising: means for actuating said firstmovable post of each of said plurality of panels to selectively engageand disengage said aperture thereof, whereby said slidable latch of eachof said plurality of panels is capable of movement within said at leastone channel thereof when said first movable post is disengaged from saidaperture thereof, and said slidable latch is secured against movementwithin said at least one channel thereof when said first movable post isengaged with said aperture thereof.
 43. The structure of claim 26,wherein said slidable latch of each of said plurality of panels furtherincludes a second movable post, positioned to engage one of said atleast said first and second apertures of an adjacent panel when saidslidable latch is in said second position.
 44. The structure of claim26, wherein said means for releasably securing of each of said pluralityof panels includes a spring for selectively urging said movable postinto one of said first position and said second position thereof; andwherein said sliding member of each of said plurality of panels contactssaid spring thereof, and moves said spring from a first position inwhich said spring urges said movable post into said first positionthereof, to a second position in which said spring urges said movablepost into said second position thereof.
 45. The structure of claim 26,wherein said means for releasably securing of each of said plurality ofpanels includes a spring button.
 46. The structure of claim 26, whereinsaid means for releasably securing of each of said plurality of panelsincludes a lock.
 47. The structure of claim 26, wherein said surface ofat least one of said plurality of panels includes a door.
 48. Thestructure of claim 26, wherein said surface of at least one of saidplurality of panels includes a window.
 49. The structure of claim 26,wherein said surface of at least one of said plurality of panelsincludes first and second sub-panels, said first and second sub-panelsbeing releasably secured to each other.
 50. The structure of claim 49,wherein said first and second sub-panels are releasably secured to eachother by a third slidable latch capable of moving from a first positionsubstantially completely within said first sub-panel to a secondposition partly within said first sub-panel and partly within saidsecond sub-panel.